PETALING JAYA: Shuttler K. Letshanaa (pic) is enjoying the environment in centralised training for the Asian Games.
Letshanaa and the other women shuttlers might not be competing in the women’s team event but they are still training together in a big group at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara.
Letshanaa is happy to spar with fellow women’s singles and independent player Goh Jin Wei.
The sessions started on Tuesday and will continue until Saturday.
“It feels great to have everyone back together again after the Sudirman Cup (in May),” said Letshanaa, who turned 20 last month.
“This brings back so many good memories.
“I feel this team is one of the best I’ve been in
“All of them are really great and we have lots of fun together.
“It feels like we are going to compete in a team event rather than a lonely tournament.
“There is a good relationship between Jin Wei and myself, and also the coaches.
“We do gather with the coaches before training starts just like in the Sudirman Cup but the difference is there is no team slogan this time.
“This will enhance our connection which is a good thing and it feels like we are going to contribute something together for the country.”
The other women in the team for the Asiad are Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, Valeree Siow-Go Pei Kee (doubles) while Toh Ee Wei and Shevon Lai Jemie will play in the mixed doubles with Chen Tang Jie and Goh Soon Huat respectively.
Expectations are not high on debutants and world No. 34 Jin Wei and world No. 59 Letshanaa as they are set to face a tough task against the best players in the world.
Letshanaa, though, is looking forward to the challenge.
“I’m not scared or nervous but I’m glad to get to play against the top players,” said Letshanaa.
“I can learn so much from this and if I can pull off an upset, then it will be really good.
“I’m not putting too much pressure on myself but I just want to translate what I’m doing in training into the tournament.”
Letshanaa is in high spirits after a positive outing in the Vietnam Open in Ho Chi Minh last week.
“I reached the quarter finals and it feels like a breakthrough for me as I had lost narrowly a few times in the second round previously,” said Letshanaa.
“I believe I am developing well and playing in a big tournament like the Asiad will give me a further boost.”
